ICMR JRF

What is the ICMR JRF exam?
Indian Council of Medical Research-Junior Research Fellowship Entrance Exam (ICMR JRF) is an annual entrance exam conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research for admission to Ph.D/ Research Programme in this institution.
The exam is the first step in the admission process. The grant benefits of this exam can be availed when a candidate finds placement in a medical college/ university, hospital, national laboratory, and other institutions of higher learning & research.
- Exam Details
- ICMR JRF Exam Dates
- Registration
- Exam Centres
- ICMR JRF Syllabus and Books
- Exam Pattern
- Preparation Tips
- Admit Card
- Answer Key
- ICMR JRF Results
- Further Admission Process
- ICMR JRF Eligibility
ICMR JRF is a prestigious fellowship program that offers emoluments to the qualified candidates. Emoluments are paid monthly to pursue research programs for the first 2 years, post which, performance can be reviewed for further extension of emolument.
Candidates looking to pursue research through the ICMR JRF entrance exam must have a postgraduate degree in basic sciences or professional courses and any other qualification as specified by the conducting body (ICMR).
ICMR JRF Exam Details:
ICMR JRF 2022 Exam Date | September 23, 2022 |
Name of the Examination | Indian Council of Medical Research-Junior Research Fellowship Entrance Exam |
Common Name | ICMR JRF |
Conducting Body | Indian Council of Medical Research |
Frequency of the Exam | Once a Year |
Exam Level | National-Level Exam |
Mode of Registration | Online |
Mode of ICMR JRF Examination | Computer-Based Exam (Online) |
Language | English |
Duration of the Exam | 2 Hours |
Total Marks | 125 |
Maximum Number of Attempts | Multiple Attempts |
ICMR JRF Exam Dates:
Events | Dates |
Start of Registration Process | July 29- August 29, 2022 |
Last Date to Apply | To be Announced |
Release of JRF Admit Card | To be Announced |
ICMR JRF Exam Date | September 23, 2022 |
Release of Answer Key | September 26, 2022 |
JRF Result Announcement | To be Announced |
ICMR JRF 2022 Registration:
Candidates can register for the ICMR JRF entrance exam by following the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: Visit the official website of either ICMR or PGIMER.
Step 2: Click on the New Registration.
Step 3: Fill in your basic details like name, DOB, mobile number, email id, etc.
Step 4: Click on the "Submit" button.
Check your email for login credentials. Candidates need to use the newly generated password sent on their mail for login.
How to fill the ICMR JRF 2022 Application Form?
Step 1: Visit the official website of ICRM or PGIMER.
Step 2: Login using the newly generated credentials.
Step 3: Fill in the asked details.
Step 4: Upload the required documents.
Step 5: Review & Submit the application.
Step 6: Take a printout of the application form for reference and later use.
Note: A copy of the Application form must be retained till the fellowship is awarded.
ICMR JRF Application Fee:
Category | Registration Fees |
General and NC-OBC | Rs. 1500/- |
SC, ST, and PwD | Rs. 1200/- |
Documents Required for filling the ICMR JRF Application Form:
Candidates have to upload a scanned copy of:
- Passport-Size Photograph
- Signature
- Birth Certificate
- Caste Certificates in Support of Selected Category
- Academic Certificate/ Degree
ICMR JRF 2022 Exam Centres:
Bengaluru | Guwahati |
Bhopal | Hyderabad |
Bhubaneshwar | Kolkata |
Chandigarh | Mumbai |
Chennai | Srinagar |
Delhi | Varanasi |
ICMR JRF Syllabus and Books:
Part A: Aptitude
- The Scientific Phenomenon in Everyday Life
- General Knowledge in Sciences
- Common Statistics
Books for JRF Part A:
Books | Author(s)/ Publisher |
A New Approach to Numerical Ability | Navratan Singh |
Analytical Reasoning | MK Pandey |
Quantitative Aptitude and Numerical Ability for all Competitive Exams | Kiran Prakashan |
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
IQ and Aptitude Tests: Assess Your Verbal Numerical And Spatial Reasoning Skills | Philip Carter |
Part B: Life Sciences
Microbiology | Biophysics |
Physiology | Immunology |
Molecular biology | Pharmacology |
Genetics | Zoology |
Human Biology | Environment Science |
Bioinformatics | Botany |
Biotechnology | Veterinary Sciences |
Biochemistry | Bioinformatics |
Books for Life Sciences:
Books | Author(s)/ Publisher |
Principles of Biochemistry | Lehninger |
Molecular Cell Biology | Lodish |
Cell and Molecular Biology | Gerald Karp |
Molecular Biology of the Gene | James D. Watson |
Microbiology | Lansing M Prescott |
Immunology | Janis Kuby |
Principles of Genetics | Eldon John Gardner |
Part C: Social Sciences
Psychology | Anthropology |
Sociology | Social Work |
Home Science | Health Economics |
Statistics | - |
Books for Social Sciences:
Books | Author(s)/ Publisher |
UGC NET: Sociology Exam Guide | Ramesh Publishing House |
Sociological Theory | George Ritzer |
An Introduction to Agricultural Social Sciences | Subhash Chandra |
Elementary Economic Theory | K.K. Dwett |
Advance Economic Theory | H.L. Ahuja |
Trueman's UGC NET Sociology | S. Hussain |
ICMR JRF Exam Pattern:
Total Number of Questions | 150 |
Questions to Attempt | 125 |
Total Marks | 125 |
Time Limit | 2 Hours |
Sectional Time Limit | Cumulative (No sectional time limit) |
Division of Section | Section A: Aptitude (Compulsory) Section B: Life Sciences Section C: Social Sciences (Section B & Section C are Optional. Candidates must choose one among the two.) |
Questions Per Section | Section A: 50 Section B: 100 (Attempt any 75) Section C: 100 (Attempt any 75) |
Number of Options Per Question | 4 |
Marks Awarded for the Right Answer | 1 |
Negative Marking | ¼ Negative Marks in case of Incorrect Attempt |
Type of Questions | MCQs |
ICMR JRF Preparation Tips:
Following are some of the professional tips to ace the JRF Exam:
- Plan & Prepare:
Plan an achievable action plan that could be achieved in bits and pieces. A lot of candidates who don't have a plan and preparation strategy in place, fail to cover the ICMR JRF exam syllabus, only to panic during the exam.
- Establish Authority over Subjects:
The diverse syllabus of the JRF exam requires one to develop an extensive knowledge of the subject.
Therefore, it is advisable for you to go for an in-depth study of underlying concepts in each subject.
- Time Management is the KEY:
Objective types questions are always designed to test your efficiency. It is expected of you to do the questions right in a limited time frame. Learning time management is a tough nut to crack. But, if you practice it religiously and maintain consistency, you shall achieve it sooner.
- Practice! Practice! Practice!
Time management skills and command over a subject comes with practice. Practice a lot to minimize silly mistakes and improve efficiency.
ICMR JRF Admit Card:
Candidates can download their ICMR JRF admit card by following the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: Visit the ICMR official website.
Step 2: Click on the link for the Admit Card.
Step 3: Log in using your credentials.
Step 4: The admit card will be displayed on the candidate's screen.
Step 5: Look for any discrepancies. If there are none, then download your ICMR JRF admit card and get it printed for further use.
ICMR JRF Answer Key:
Candidates can figure out their probable ICMR JRF score by cross-checking their attempted choices to the answer key. Follow the below-mentioned steps to avail the answer key:
Step 1: Visit the official website of ICMR, New Delhi.
Step 2: Click on the link to "Answer Key" of JRF.
Step 3: The Answer Key will be displayed on their screen.
Step 4: Take a printout of the answer key for future reference.
Raising Objection against ICMR JRF Answer Key:
If a candidate finds out that the answer key does not comply with the answer in exams or is incorrect, then he/ she can raise objections within 48 hours of the release of the Answer Key. If the objection is valid, it will get considered and a revised answer key will be uploaded on the official website.
Following are the steps:
Step 1: Download the ICMR JRF Entrance Examination 2022 information brochure from the official website of ICMR.
Step 2: Find the email address of the Sr. Administrative Officer (Academic) from the Result/ Answer Key Section of the brochure.
Step 3: Communicate the discrepancies that you spot in the answer key.
Step 4: Candidates have to pay a fee of Rs. 500 for each question against which they raise an objection. The fee paid is refundable if the objection is found to be valid.
Raising Objection: Points to Remember
- The objection fee will not be refunded if the objection is invalid.
- Objections cannot be edited after submitting.
- A candidate does not have any limits on the number of objections that he/ she can make.
- The answer key objection window closes 48 hours from the release of the answer key.
- The raising of objections after 48 hours will not be entertained.
ICMR JRF Results:
Candidates can check their ICMR JRF result by following the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: Visit the official website of ICMR.
Step 2: Log in using your credentials.
Step 3: Click on the scorecard tab after logging in to the website.
Step 4: Click on the download button to download your JRF scorecard.
ICMR JRF Further Admission Process:
A favourable ICMR JRF result is the first step towards getting admission to ICMR institutions.
Candidates are required to confirm placements in a medical college/ university, hospital, national laboratory, or any other institution of higher learning & research.
Hereafter, fellowships will be awarded to the eligible candidates categorically as specified below:
- Two separate merit lists will be made available based on candidates qualifying for either of the two, life sciences or social sciences.
- 130 students will be selected for Life Sciences, while 30 will be there for Social Sciences.
- Additionally, 100 candidates will be selected for JRF under various schemes, considering the eligibility of the candidate for those positions.
Candidates belong to the General Category have to attain a minimum of 55%, in both sections, for final selection. SC/ ST candidates have to score 50% in the same.
Benefits & Emoluments:
The qualified candidates are entitled to receive the existing value of the fellowship, which is Rs. 31,000/- per month. Additionally, they will be paid an annual contingency grant of upto Rs. 20,000/-.
FAQs
- No, ICMR JRF scores are valid only for six months. Besides, you must join your fellowship program on the date prescribed by ICMR, failing which your selection stands cancelled.
- JRF is conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research once every year.
- No, candidates with a backlog are not eligible to appear for the JRF exam.
- There is no limit on the maximum number of attempts for the ICMR JRF exam. Therefore, you can appear for the exam as many times as you want.
- The ICMR JRF Exam is conducted in only one slot.
- The paper consists of a total of 150 questions and all of those are MCQs.
- The duration of fellowship will be 2 years after which performance will be reviewed for extension.
- The awarded fellowship will be valid for 1 year.
- A specimen (sample paper) can be downloaded from the official website of ICMR.
- In the ICMR JRF exam pattern, the total marks is 125.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfill the following ICMR JRF eligibility criteria for the offered fellowship program:
- The candidate must have a postgraduate degree in Basic Science or a Professional Course.
- Minimum required age for General Category students is 28 years. A 5-year relaxation is given to SC/ ST candidates and 3-year relaxation is given to OBC candidates.